Match and Striker Method and Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A match having the striker member directly over and integrated with the ignition member of the match, so that when the two members are separated, the match ignites. It is preferred that the striker member is pinched in order to increase friction between the members. Further, the striker member can be integrated with a waterproof coating, glow in the dark, or scented.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 61/494,971 filed 9 Jun. 2011; entitled “Match and Striker Method and Apparatus”. The entire contents being hereby incorporated by reference and for which benefit of the priority date is claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to friction-activated devices for producing fire and in particular to a match having a match-head that is integrated with a friction activated ignition apparatus and a method for using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices for making fire in the form of a match burning some embodiment of stick, or elongated paper body as a fuel source with a have been used for over 150 years. In some early embodiments, matches were able to ‘struck’ or lit by simply dragging the head of the match over a high friction surface. Later the safety matches were developed in order to keep the match from somewhat spontaneously combusting.

Safety matches are ‘safe’ because they don't spontaneously combust. One would have to strike them against a special surface in order to get them to ignite. The match heads contain sulfur (sometimes antimony III sulfide) and oxidizing agents (usually potassium chlorate), with powdered glass, colorants, fillers, and a binder made of glue and starch. The striking surface consists of powdered glass or silica (sand), red phosphorus, binder, and filler. When the safety match is struck, the glass-on-glass friction generates heat, converting a small amount of red phosphorus to white phosphorus vapor. White phosphorus spontaneously ignites, decomposing potassium chlorate and liberating oxygen. At this point, the sulfur starts to burn, which ignites the wood of the match.

It is desired under various circumstances to not require a matchbox having a separate striker be carried, such as when one wants to take just a few matches in a survival situation for example. It is also desirable to keep the match heads from getting wet thus inhibiting the lighting ability of the matches.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a match system, which does not require a matchbox or other such striker member separate from the match.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a waterproof coating.

It is another object of the invention that the stick structure provides a phosphorescent or luminescent ability to help find the sticks more easily in the dark.

It is another object of the invention that the stick structure be scented to have a more pleasurable using experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a match having the striker member directly over and integrated with the ignition member of the match, so that when the two members are separated, the match ignites. It is preferred that the striker member is pinched in order to increase friction between the members. Further, the striker member can be integrated with a waterproof coating. In an alternate embodiment, the stick element can be treated with a phosphor-luminescent paint or coating to help a user find it better in the dark. Further it can be integrated with a pull tab.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a an embodiment of the present invention in that hand of a user;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a user gripping the strike cap;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a user quickly separating the strike cap from the match head causing ignition;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view of the user gripping the strike cap of a different embodiment

FIG. 9 is a view of a user striking the match against a solid surface.

FIG. 10 shows the ignited head from the actions performed in FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIGS. 11-13 shows an alternate embodiment using a pull tab.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 4 through 6 detail a match comprising a fuel stick (10) made of wood, paper, fiber, or other compressed materials and being in an elongated shape and having at one end an ignition member (18) which is generally in close association with a strike cap (12) which is shaped to or shaped around and conformal with the ignition member (18).

Optionally the fuel stick can be made of recycled materials cutting down on costs and having less of an environmental impact. Optionally the fuel stick (10) can be treated with a glow in the dark material that will readily burn, but not substantially change the burn rate of the stick (10), to increase operability in dark conditions. Optionally a coating (16) can be provided to protect or waterproof the match assembly. Optionally it can be scented to have a more pleasant smell. For assembly purposes, in at least one embodiment, an orifice (14) can be provided in order to couple the strike cap (12) with the ignition member (18). The match/striker assembly can be held in a case with a push button led light to charge matches. It can also be packaged in a see through packets with adhesive backs to wear while hiking or skiing.

As a method of use, shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, a user can simply grab and firmly grip the match assembly at the lower end of the stick (10), grip the strike cap (12), pinch, and pull firmly causing the match to light.

As another method of use, shown in FIGS. 8-10, a user can firmly grip the match assembly by the strike cap (12), FIG. 8, and rap or hit the stick (10) firmly on a hard surface (19) such that the cap (12) slides down over the stick (10), FIG. 9, causing the match to light, FIG. 10. The user continues to hold the strike cap (12) and the stick together (10).

Another embodiment using a pull tab is shown in FIG. 11. The pull tab (20) consists of striking material wrapped around the match head in a thin strip that would be pulled in a quick manner to light the match. The strip is pulled in a sideways and up manner as Shown in FIG. 12. This action lights the match as shown in FIG. 13.

In another embodiment, the invention can be incorporated into a system for lighting a lantern.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. The invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

For example, although the foregoing refers to a strike cap having an orifice, it is contemplated that the frictional member can be fully integrated with the ignition member upon manufacture. Further, details may vary from match to match in terms of dimensions and exact position of structural members, depending on the physical arrangement, as well as the stick length and girth. While described as matches the same concept can be used with other mechanisms such as candles or fuses.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequent appended claims. 

1. A method of igniting a match comprising the following: (i) providing a fuel stick having a first end and a second end, the first end comprising an ignition member being firmly connected the first end and being enveloped by a separable strike cap; (ii) holding the fuel stick firmly by the second end, (iii) gripping the strike cap and quickly pulling and/or pushing the strike cap from the first end.
 2. The method of igniting a match of claim 1 wherein, the fuel stick is glow in the dark.
 3. The method of igniting a match of claim 1 wherein the fuel stick is waterproof.
 4. The method of igniting a match of claim 1 wherein, the fuel stick is scented.
 5. The method of igniting a match of claim 1, wherein the fuel stick is elongated between the first end and the second end with an elongated axis that extends between the first end and the second end.
 6. The method of igniting a match of claim 5, wherein the pulling and/or pushing the strike cap from the first end is in a direction substantially parallel to the elongated axis.
 7. The method of igniting a match of claim 5, wherein the pulling and/or pushing the strike cap from the first end is in a direction substantially away from the strike cap.
 8. The method of igniting a match of claim 1, wherein the pulling and/or pushing the strike cap further comprises gripping the match assembly by the strike cap and rapping or hitting the fuel stick firmly on a hard surface such that the strike cap slides down over the stick causing the match to light
 9. The method of igniting a match of claim 1, wherein the pulling and/or pushing the strike cap further comprises pulling cap away from the fuel stick
 10. A match and striker comprising: (i) a stick having a first end and a second end, (ii) the first end having an ignition member in association with a strike cap.
 11. The match and striker of claim 10 wherein, the stick is made of wood, fiber, or compressed material.
 12. The match and striker of claim 10 wherein, the stick is glow in the dark.
 13. The match and striker of claim 10 wherein the stick is waterproof.
 14. The match and striker of claim 10 wherein the stick is scented.
 15. The match and striker of claim 10 wherein the stick is elongated between the first end and the second end with an elongated axis that extends between the first end and the second end, wherein the stick is ignited by pulling the match in a direction substantially parallel to the elongated axis.
 16. The match and striker of claim 15 wherein the pulling and/or pushing the strike cap from the first end is in a direction substantially away from the strike cap.
 17. The match and striker of claim 10, where in the strike cap is shaped to or shaped around and conformal with the ignition member at the first end of the stick.
 18. The match and striker of claim 10, where in the strike cap is a pull tab. 